april 2012 - FAO Staff Coop

APRIL 2012
Riding Africa on Two Wheels
Parfum d’Italie
The Revival of the FAO Staff
Coop Women’s Football Team
Ikebana
Are we Sinister, or just Lefthanded?
Charity for Haiti, Art Exhibition
In Memory of Erna Bennett
Mensile - No. 4 2012 - Reg. Trib. N. 574 dell’8/10/1990
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The Acacia trees (stanza III)
from
White Egrets by Derek Walcott
You see those breakers coming around Pigeon Island
howling like nuns in a procession? One thing I know,
when you’re gone like my other friends, not to Thailand
or Russia, but wherever it is loved friends go
with their different beliefs, who were like a flock
of seagulls leaving the mirror of the sand,
or a bittern passing lonely Barrel of Beef,
or the sails that an egret hoists leaving its rock;
I go down to the same sea by another road
with manchineel shadows and stunted sea grapes
dwarfed by the wind. I carry something to read;
the wind is bright and shadows race like grief,
I open their books and see their distant shapes
approaching and always arriving, their voices heard
in the page of a cloud, like the soft surf in my head.
painting by Teresa Stankiewicz
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Contents
The “FAO CASA GAZETTE” is the
registered title of the journal of
the FAO STAFF COOP
FAO Staff Coop Board
Chairman:
Vice-Chairman
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Publicity Officer:
Members:
Enrica Romanazzo
Bouchra El Zein
Valentina Delle Fratte
Adriano Fava
Edith Mahabir
Cynthia Edwards
Patrizia Ragni
Auditor:
International Audit Service s.r.l.
Direttore Responsabile:
Patrizia Cimini
Editorial Committee:
Edith Mahabir, Peter Steele,
Danilo Mejia, Alexia Di Fabio,
Enrica Romanazzo,
Jill Stevenson
Cultural Activity:
Sports Activity:
Patrizia Ragni
Valentina Delle Fratte
For Advertising:
STAFF COOP OFFICE
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Tel: 06/57053142 or 06/57054112 - Fax 06/57297286
E-mail: FAO-STAFF-Coop@fao.org
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Printing by: EUROINTERSTAMPA - Roma
Via della Magliana, 295 - Tel. 06.55282956 Fax 06.55178798
Finito di stampare: Aprile 2012
APRIL 2012
Cover:
An 800 old petrified tree in the
deser t of Namibia.
2
Poets Nook
5
Riding Africa on Two Wheels
11
by Derek Walcott
painting by Teresa Stankiewicz
by Peter Steele
Parfum d’Italie
de Fabio Perfetto
12
Art Show at the Studio
14
The revival of the FAO Staff
Coop Women’s Football Team
Edna Howe & Clara Hemstead
by Stefania Maurelli
16
Escursione della FAO Staff Coop
sul Monte Cavo – Via Sacra
18
Ikebana
23
Are we Sinister, or just Left-handed?
by Edith Mahabir
by Suzy Saint
24
25
28
30
FAO Staff Coop Library
Bring back Memories?
In Memory of Erna Bennett
Recipe:
Pomolo-Citrus Maxima
by Enrica Romanazzo
Typewritten electronic contributions for the FAO CASA Gazette are
welcome. These can be in English, French, Italian or Spanish articles, poems, drawings, photographs, etc. in fact anything
interesting that staff members and/or their families in Rome or the
field may like to contribute. No anonymous material will be
accepted, and the Editor reserves the right to choose and/or reject
material that is not in keeping with the ethics of the Organization.
Send contributions electronically to the Editor at
jill.stevenson@fao.org or leave signed copies with the COOP
Office on the ground floor of Building E. The deadline for editorial
material is due on the 1st of the month preceding the date of issue.
The Editor may schedule articles according to the priorities and
editorial requirements of the FAO Staff COOP.
The FAO CASA Gazette is published every month.
The FAO Staff Coop does not take any responsibility for commercial advertisements published in the Casa
Gazette or for services rendered by third parties according to conventions stipulated with the FAO Staff Coop.
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Extension
Riding Africa on Two Wheels
by Peter Steele
You ride a motorbike for a number of reasons most of which are concerned with
convenience, savings in time and/or cost and, importantly, for the pleasure of being
outside with the sky overhead, the sounds and the smells of the country around you and
the open road ahead. Sure, this is hardly the image to treasure commuting to the office
or the factory on a cold winter’s day with the prospects of rain to come and the traffic
building up. Most regular riders have shared this kind of experience, however, and if not
recently then - perhaps through those rose-tinted glasses that remind them of when
they were younger, when the roads were emptier and when they were riding that
favourite bike that they had always wanted – and then bought.
Bike riding for fun
Long distance travel takes motor-biking
to another level, and many enthusiastic
two-wheelers have taken biking holidays,
used their bikes regularly to travel back
to the family home or to ride in groups - to
share in the company of people with likeminded interests. Attend any moto-grand
prix and count the number of bikies that
turn up in groups.
Africa route map. Everyone is familiar with
images of the continent that makes up >20% of
the world’s land mass. A patchwork of
countries that the colonial powers left as a
legacy of their tenure over a hundred years or
so, but much more when you consider the
traditions and heritage that have developed
from this cradle of mankind. The ‘line in the
sand’ as-it-were shows the estimated 15,000 km
route planned.
Whilst the world has become ever more
connected – whether in real life or
cyberspace – it has also become more
uniform; with the same western-like
images that have begun to dominate the
way that people see themselves –
dressing, eating, shopping and living in
much the same kinds of urban space. The
airlines link these city-states worldwide
and you have to make a real effort to
escape the blandness of modern society;
to seek to discover and explore the
traditional richness that remains in
distant places with the communities that
live there. This is where the motorbike
remains supreme – it provides access.
And this is not riding the bike, for
example, from Rome to Copenhagen –
tracking the main highways and
motorways, and arriving a couple of days
after you started, but making an effort to
escape the paved roads of North America,
Europe, Australia and elsewhere and to
seek out the wilderness, the unusual, the
5
others can only read about or see on
television. But, ask yourself, how much do
you really see of the everyday
communities in a place within a whistlestop
mission
–
checking
with
representatives of the host government or
attending a workshop, even providing
technical backstopping to a project or
investment shared with the country?
Supported – protected even – within the
confines of an official mission there simply
isn’t time to see further than the routines
required within the terms of reference
that apply.
Kristian – the Steele’s team leader. Working on
the bikes before travel, and responsible for
buying the bikes and all of the mechanical
preparatory work required. Kitting out the
bikes for the ride with long range fuel tanks,
bash plates on everything, pannier racks,
lowered rear suspension (Anna’s bike) and
more. Other riders are Anna (Kristian’s wife),
Peter (Kristian’s dad) and Shaun (a friend
from New Zealand)
unknown (leastways to you) and the
challenges
of
riding
somewhere
completely different. The reality is one in
which Africa, Asia and Central and South
America beckon.
Africa from a different perspective
Sure, you may already have been there –
one of the advantages of working within
an international organization; you get to
visit a host of interesting places that
And, in any case, there is this thing about
missions that means working with the
intellectually competent, the minority
decision-makers, the national power
brokers and others; there is simply no
opportunity in which to meet the vast
majority of ordinary people that make up
the country. At the end of the working day,
typically, it’s back to that four star hotel
and the international cuisine in the capital
city – and reports preparation. The reality
of official missions becomes one of social
exclusion - for all the best of reasons.
Adventure motor-biking
Motorbike travel can change all this. In
the parlance of modern tourist industries
travel of this kind has come to be called
‘adventure motor-biking’. Just about
everywhere outside the main industrial
countries offers opportunities for riding
mountain terrain, deserts, steppes,
rainforests and more. Not so much that
you won’t find people already there – of
course you will – but they won’t be your
people, they won’t represent the familiar
background that you know and they will,
inevitably, see the world differently to
you. They won’t be the people that you
met
earlier
on
those
technical
backstopping missions. This in itself is a
reason for going.
No issue, adventure motor-biking is what
you make it but, in general terms, it
(continued on page 8)
6
ST. STEPHEN’S SCHOOL
Uniquely set in the historical center of
Rome near the Circo Massimo and FAO,
St. Stephen’s School is a nondenominational, co-educational day and
boarding high school for ages 14 to 19.
Visits welcome.
Accredited by the New England Association
of Schools and Colleges and the C. I. S.
PRE-REGISTRATION
Stefano Giannì
(General Agent)
Special agreement for
UN staff, Embassies
and NATO.
00151 Roma,
P.zza del Sacro Cuore 19
Tel: 06/53272753
Fax: 06/53270798
Service mobile:
329/9452429
Saturday morning, May 5, 2012
for incoming 9th grade students
enrolling in September 2012. For
details contact Admissions Office.
Via Aventina 3, 00153 Rome, Italy
Tel: 06 57 50 605 - Fax: 06 57 41 941
Web site: www.sssrome.it
Insurance
romamonteverde@groupama.it
E-mail: ststephens@ststephens-rome.com
15
A
OTTICAAVENTINO
L’ottica migliore con cui guardare il mondo
• Personalized Eyewear - all the best makes
• Ultra-fine Lenses
• High-quality Service
• Varifocali and Stigmatic contact lenses
• Special Prices for Sunglasses
• Open August
Open from 9.00 to 19.30 non-stop, Monday to Saturday
Computerized eye test-free of charge. Special Prices for FAO staff
Viale Aventino, 78 • 00153 Roma • Tel. 065.758.413 • Fax 065.713.7451 • info@ottica-aventino.com • www.ottica-aventino.com
7
(continued from page 6)
Collecting the bikes. More than a month in delivery, the bikes arrived safe and sound in Cape
Town. It took an hour to collect and check them and put some petrol in to start them. The 9th March
and the journey to Cairo has begun.
means venturing into the relatively
unknown with little more than your own
resources – a well-kitted out bike, spare
parts and a handful of tools, a change of
clothing and, for when you can’t (or don’t
want to) find local accommodation –
sufficient resources to sleep and cook on
the road – meaning tent, sleeping bag,
cooking equipment and portable food.
Sharing the ride
The choice of travelling alone or with a
partner or like-minded friend always
crops up – a personal issue really, and
largely dependent on the kind of
character you are. Therein are the images
of hard-core aging bikies from another era
– tracking the world for years at a time in
their dusty leathers – and these people
actually exist and have written the books
or established the blogs that have
stimulated the rest of us. The reality of
the modern-day traveller, however, is
typically someone who may simply have
taken a break from routine, checked out
8
on a sabbatical and decided to do
something different. This is the ‘gap-year’
scenario for those who are no longer
students. Clearly, a period away has to be
stacked around the demands of a working
routine, family and schools or it has to be
made later when this period of time has
passed. Again, these are personal choices
but, for most people, there is simply no
logical time when rides of this kind can be
undertaken - it may always be
inconvenient.
Classic bike routes
You can ‘adventure bike’ just about
anywhere outside your normal routines
and geography – bikes can be shipped
reasonably cheaply by air to just about
anywhere on the planet. You can’t do this
easily with a car, however, and then you
become dependent on the long-distance
container ship or a network of ferries that
will take you there – wherever ‘there’
happens to be. Europe to North Africa is a
popular route for European bikers, and
Mexico and all places south for US and
Canadian riders. Short rides provide
options for ‘looping’ into a neighbouring
region or wilderness, and this can be done
relatively cheaply and easily. Long oneway rides require a deal more planning.
Planning is everything from the kind of
bike to ride, to the investment that you
need to make to prepare the bike and
yourself for the time away, and for the
practicalities of the paperwork that will
enable you to get away, stay away and
return safely. The correct paperwork will
also enable you and your bike to cross
borders with minimum hassle.
There are a handful of classic
international adventure routes – the
Americas from Alaska to Patagonia,
Africa from north to south and this
typically means Ceuta or Cairo to Cape
Town (taking western or eastern
continental routes respectively) and the
Europe-Asia run from anywhere in
Western Europe to the East Asian coast –
usually to Vladivostok in Russia (where
you can catch a ferry to Japan) or further
south to China – to Hong Kong or
Shanghai, for example. But then too, you
may prefer India as a destination (say, en
route to Australia).
Been there – done that
Which neatly introduces the ‘big one’ – the
round the world (RTW) ride. People are
doing it all the time, so it’s not that
unusual – only more of a commitment.
Want to read/see a recent welldocumented ride? Catch the commercial
venture of Ewan McGregor and Charley
Boorman and their ‘Long Way Round’
movie.
It’s
described
at
http://longwayround.com - you may want
to buy the CD. It’s a great visual
experience for those who enjoy their
armchair travel. More recently, the same
two riders completed the Africa route –
following the Nile south. Again, it’s
available on CD as the ‘Long Way Down’.
No issue that this was a great ride, with
the added advantage of the excellent
visuals that resulted from their
Table Mountain Sea View. The classic view of Table Mountain from the sea - returning from Robben
Island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated during the apartheid era.
9
Kristian & Macky Fish River Canyon. In Namibia. Meet Macky - a 50 year old German rider and
on the road for >18 months riding down West Africa. At Cape Town he is due to turn round and ride
up the east coast. He has a great web site - check it out.
supporting team including a third
motorbike rider cameraman. The
helicopter footage along the coast road to
the Cape of Good Hope at the end of the
ride accompanied by hundreds of South
African riders is a motorbike treasure.
More pertinent to the likes of you and me
is the south-north ride undertaken by the
South African couple Tania & François
Steyn. Their journey is described at
http://www.crossingafrica.co.za. During 90
days October-December 2011 they
completed the Cape Town to Alexandria
run on light Chinese-made road bikes. We
came across their blog as our own
planning took place – following what is
likely to be exactly the same route.
We too have a blog – courtesy of Anna one
of the four riders scheduled to take part –
with three of us sharing different sections
of the journey and Kristian riding the
whole way. Want to know more? Check out
the
blog
at
It
http://crossafrica.wordpress.com.
10
describes some of the many basic issues
required of planning – choice of bikes,
preparatory work, documentation and
more. As I write these notes in late
February the bikes are somewhere off
Morocco en route for Cape Town. As you
read these words – assuming some key
timing for publication in March – we’ll be
somewhere in Namibia or Zambia, and at
the end of our first leg for change of rider.
End Note
That’s the introduction then – now the
reality of the ride, although we are still
trying to organize that freight forwarder
in Alexandria. At this point it’s the mindset that dominates – not so much that it
can’t be done, but can you do it. Therein is
the romantic image of the long-distance
rider in Africa, but can you hack the
sometimes gruelling practicalities that
will be involved – physically and mentally.
Watch this space for more ■
Parfum d’Italie
de Fabio Perfetto
Bien que je ne sois plus un jeune garçon, j’aime encore étudier. Étant donné que pendant ces mois je
suis un cours de français, j’ai pensé d’aller en France pendant un week-end : je pouvais vérifier le
niveau de ma connaissance. J’ai trouvé un vol économe pour Beauvais et une auberge de jeunesse à
Vernon. J’ai lu ma guide et je suis parti au début de l’automne.
L’auberge de jeunesse de Vernon est propre, et j’ai eu l’opportunité de parler avec des touristes
françaises. En particulier, j’ai connu un homme qui aimait aussi tant cette ville que quand il avait du
temps il prenait le train à Paris pour atteindre cette auberge et longer la Seine. Ensuite, j’ai parlé avec
une famille de Cannes qui aimait le climat d’Italie.
J’ai eu de la chance quand j’ai visité le château de
Bizy. La guide, une femme mince et très
sympathique parlait très clairement et j’ai ainsi pu
comprendre toute sa description. Elle nous a raconté
des histoires avec des anecdotes amusantes sur la
noblesse française qui avait habité le château.
Quand je lui ai posé une question, elle a tout de suite
compris que je n’étais pas français et elle m’a
demandé d’où je venais. Quelques minutes après elle
nous a montré la façade du château et nous a dit que
l’architecte s’était inspiré à la Ville Albani à Rome,
en soulignant que je venais de ce pays.
Ensuite, je suis allé au centre ville de Vernon, où j’ai visité la cathédrale et j’ai admiré plusieurs vielles
maisons. Sur l’autre côte de la Seine, j’ai photographié le petit château de Tourelles et le Vieux
Moulin.
Près de la Mairie, il y avait le syndicat du tourisme où j’ai trouvé des informations sur le château
d’Ambleville, qu’un dépliant définissait « Un parfum d’Italie en Ile de France ». J’y suis allé, le parc
était très soigné. Quand j’ai vu la façade du palais, j’ai pensé d’être en Vénétie.
Enfin, je suis allé au Domaine de Villarceaux, un parc avec des jardins, de petits lacs et surtout un
château sur une colline modelée comme un vêtement avec la crinoline.
Bien qu’il soit la fin septembre, il faisait chaud, et la visite a duré deux heures. La guide nous a montré
une fontaine et elle nous a dit qui avait de l’eau miraculeuse : si on en avait bu, nous serions restés
jeunes. Etant donné que j’avais soif, je l’ai bue, peut être on verra les résultats.
Puis nous avons monté la colline du château, et quand on a atteint le jardin, on a appris que l’architecte
qui avait réalisé le jardin avec des statues s’était inspiré à la Villa D’Este près de Vérone, encore un
peu d’Italie.
Si vous avez encore du temps, je vous rappelle que sur l’autre cote de la rive de la Seine à Vernon, il y
a le village de Giverny, avec la maison de Claude Monet, où je me suis promené dans de jardins
luxuriants. Et si vous cherchez le parfum d’Angleterre, vous devez aller à la ville d’Andelys et visiter
les ruines du Château Gaillard, du Roi Richard Cœur du Lion. Avec le soleil, vous verrez un panorama
incroyable sur la vallée de la Seine e vous entendrez l’importance stratégique du château. Bien, alors,
bon voyage !
11
ONCE MORE WITH FEELING
ART NEWS – STOP PRESS – ART NEWS – STOP PRESS
This will be the last chance to see water colours in The Studio opposite FAO............
Clara Hemstead and Edna Howe have again joined forces to show their latest work.
The dates to remember are from 8 – 12 May.
The MOSTRA will be open from 11.00 to 13.30 mornings –
re-opening from 16.00 to 19.00 afternoons.
The vernissage to he held at 17.00 hrs on Tuesday 8 May
WATCH THE NOTICE BOARDS
12
13
The revival of the FAO Staff Coop Women’s Football Team
by Stefania Maurelli
The official FAO Women’s Football Team was originally founded for the occasion of the 2006
Inter-Agency Games (IAG), held in Pesaro, Italy. That year and the next one in Seefeld,
Austria, we reached the top of the podium. In 2008 new people joined the Team and we
participated in the IAG in Biarritz, France; even if we did not get the same result, the spirit
remained the same: playing and having fun!
This year the Team is undergoing serious changes and getting a new look! Seven new
members have been registered for the 2012 year, while some key-members still remain…
Everybody is welcome to join this very dynamic group of 10 women, coming from all
different divisions of FAO.
We usually train on Mondays, at 18:00 hrs in Viale di Porta Ardeatina 108, a 5-minute walk
from Piramide Metro stop, in a very cheerful atmosphere. Alessio and Mino have both
volunteered to be our coaches. Sessions consist of technical exercises (dribbling, shooting,
tactics, etc.) as well as physical preparation (sprint, coordination exercices).
Every Wednesday we organize two games between 18.00 and 20.00 hrs, often mixed. If you
happen to be interested do not hesitate to contact us. On Thursdays we usually meet at
12.30 hrs in front of the stadium for a 20-30 minute jog. We are trying to regularly meet with
other womens teams, and have already organized several official games against the WFP
Team and other teams active in Rome.
Among other activities, we are planning to organize a tournament next April and we have
now just launched a raffle to collect enough money to allow all the players to participate in
the next IAG, that will be held in Biarritz, France next May. The drawing will be done at the
end of this tournament.
Please support our Team and buy a raffle ticket from us. We appreciate your support!
For further information and/or to buy us a raffle kindly contact us:
Stefania : 06-570-53061 stefania.maurelli@fao.org
Marion: 06-570-53099 or marion.triquet@fao.org
Lorrie: 06-570-56309 or lorrie.barber@fao.org
Laura: 06-570-56336 laura.daietti@fao.org
Carolina: 06-570-56662 carolina.desimone@fao.org
14
Roberto Baggio’s message
Sono Roberto Baggio, Ambasciatore
di buona volontà della FAO, e sono
lieto di porgere il mio più cordiale
saluto a tutti voi ed in particolare alla
squadra di calcio femminile della
FAO.
E quindi ciao a Anni, Lorrie, Laura,
Carolina, Lauren, Stefania, Marion,
Inge, ai loro allenatori Alessio e
Cosimo. A tutti voi auguro un grande
e veramente soddisfacente 2012, che
so pieno di bellissimi progetti.
Permettetemi una piccola riflessione. Ogni giorno, nel mondo, una persona su sei va a
dormire affamata. Questo è inaccettabile.
Il calcio, con la sua capacità di raggiungere un vasto pubblico e di coinvolgere grandi masse
di persone, ha il potere di spronare la gente ad unirsi per aiutare coloro che ne hanno
bisogno. Il calcio ha questa capacità grande, di mobilitare la gente.
Sono stato un campione di football, ed è con particolare orgoglio che ho ricevuto, due anni
fa, il Peace Summit Award, il riconoscimento per me più significativo, più importante per
me del Pallone d’Oro, e rispetto al quale ogni altro successo personale e professionale
impallidisce. Per questo. per essere all’altezza di questo riconoscimento, desidero ora più che
mai usare qualsiasi influenza io possa avere presso il mio pubblico, in modo concreto e
propositivo, cercando di attirare l’attenzione del mio pubblico, e in particolare quella dei
giovani, sul problema della fame che oggi affligge 925 milioni di persone nel mondo.
Io, nella pratica quotidiana di cittadino consapevole dei suoi diritti e dei suoi doveri, ho
un’idea ben precisa rispetto alla regola fondamentale che dovrebbe guidare l’esistenza di
ciascuno: il diritto di tutti gli uomini ad un’appropriata alimentazione.
Nel mio ruolo di Ambasciatore di buona volontà della FAO, in questi ultimi otto anni ho
imparato che la solidarietà mondiale è necessaria e possibile, che lo sviluppo dipende in
definitiva dal rispetto dei diritti umani fondamentali, e che questo è realizzabile solo se si
lavora assieme con una responsabilità collettiva e reciproca, poiché il futuro dei diritti umani
è nelle mani di tutti i nostri cittadini in tutte le nostre comunità. Ho visitato di persona, in
particolare in Laos e in Peru, i progetti di sviluppo della FAO, e so che è possibile
trasformare in realtà, il sogno di un mondo senza fame.
E quindi forza, ragazze e ragazzi. Sono lieto di sostenervi e “tifare” per voi, perché lo sport,
a qualsiasi livello, offre un palcoscenico ideale per il raggiungimento di un vastissimo
pubblico e il coinvolgimento dei cittadini nei programmi umanitari intrapresi. So che voi
porterete con voi questo messaggio. Ad maiora!
Con stima,
Roberto Baggio
Ambasciatore di buona volontà della FAO
15
FAO STAFF COOP’S
Escursione sul Monte Cavo – “Via Sacra”
(Parco Regionale Castelli Romani)
Sabato 10 Marzo, un gruppetto di volonterosi camminatori si è riunito a Castelgandolfo per
la salita al Monte Cavo; durante la passeggiata si è sentito parlare tutte le lingue, essendo i
partecipanti di varie nazionalità.
Dapprima è stato percorso il lato sud del cratere del lago Albano, quindi sono arrivati al
Convento di Palazzolo, in splendida panoramica posizione a picco sul lago.
Poi sono passati vicino alle grotte dove una volta si rifugiava il temibile bandito Gasperone;
subito dopo hanno affrontato la salita al monte che si compie sul bellissimo e antichissimo
percorso della Via Sacra, una via tracciata dai Romani per arrivare al tempio di Giove, che
era in cima al monte.
Dopo il pic-nic, con una facile discesa hanno raggiunto i Campi d’Annibale (Rocca di Papa)
dove era stata lasciata una macchina per il rientro ■
16
To learn how
your child could
benefit from a
Marymount education,
please visit us.
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Protesi Conservativa Chirurgia Implantologia
Ortodonzia
English, French and Swedish spoken
Piazzale Ardeatino n. 6, Roma
Zona: San Saba (5 mins. from FAO)
tel: 06 5748070 (Preferably by appointment)
cell. 338 4655835 - www.sergiobrescia.com
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17
Ikebana
Japanese Floral Art
by Edith Mahabir
I
kebana is the Japanese art of arranging
cut flowers, known in antiquity as Kadô
or “path of flowers” . Ikebana literally
means “living flowers” and is the name of
the antique art of Japanese origin which
aims at the spiritual upliftment of the
individual according to the principles of
Zen. The natural element dominates in the
construction of Ikebana, whether they are
branches, leaves, grasses or flowers, and
they are arranged in a trio system, almost
always to form a triangle. The three aspects
represent the sky, earth and man; how they
have to be in harmony to form the universe,
the flowers and the branches also
necessitate an equilibrium in space.
History of Ikebana
Ikebana is a very ancient art and has its
origins in the Far East, namely India and
China, but it is only in the artistic and
religious context of Japan that it found
fertile ground for its development,
transforming from an initial offering into a
multiform artistic expression, fruit and
18
reflection of present day culture. Its origins
date back to the Sixth Century A.D. and
specifically in the period when Buddhism
through China and Korea arrived in Japan
introducing the ritual custom of offering
flowers to the spirits of the dead. The truth
about the origin of Ikebana is unidentified.
However, when Buddhism reached Japan in
the Seventh century, it is thought to have
come to Japan as part of Buddhist practice.
The offering of flowers on the altar in honor
of Buddha was part of worship. At its
origins the art of flowers was practised
mainly by aristocratic nobility and by
Buddhist monks, who represented the
upper classes of Japan, and it is only much
later that it became diffuse among all social
classes becoming popular with the name
Ikebana.
The first style was the Rikka in which the
arrangement was composed of seven
elements: three principal branches and four
secondary branches. Afterwards a more
simple style was elaborated called Nageire.
form. The artist’s intention behind each
arrangement is shown through a piece’s
colour combinations, natural shapes,
graceful lines, and the usually implied
meaning of the arrangement.
This was followed by the Seika, a type of
simplified Rikka, less austere than the
Nageire. In modern times each school
adopted its own personal style and began
using also short vases with low sides,
various elements such as stones, dry
branches and other natural materials.
The Materials
All the materials utilized in the construction
of ikebana must be strictly of organic
nature, whether they are branches, leaves,
grasses
or
flowers.
In
Ikebana
arrangements branches and flowers are
arranged according to a ternarian (trio)
system, almost always to form a triangle.
The longest branch, the most important, is
considered something similar to the sky, the
shortest branch represents the earth and
the middle sized branch represents man.
Thus in the same way these three forces
have to be in harmony to form the Universe,
also the flowers and the branches must be
balanced in the space without any apparent
force or effort.
Another aspect present in ikebana is its
employment of minimalism. That is, an
arrangement may consist of only a minimal
number of blooms interspersed among
stalks and leaves. The structure of a
Japanese flower arrangement is based on a
scalene triangle delineated by three main
points, usually twigs, considered in some
schools to symbolize heaven, earth and man;
and in others the sun, moon and earth. The
container used is a key element of the
composition, and various styles of pottery
may be used in their construction.
Spirituality of Ikebana
The spiritual aspect of ikebana is considered
very important to its practitioners. Silence
is a must during practices of ikebana. It is a
time to appreciate things in nature that
people often overlook because of their busy
lives. One becomes more patient and
tolerant of differences, not only in nature,
but also in general. Ikebana can inspire one
to identify with beauty in all art forms. This
is also the time when one feels closeness to
nature which provides relaxation for the
mind, body, and soul.
The Ikebana Schools
The most famous schools each with its own
style are: Ikenobo, Ohara and Sogetsu.
The Approach of Ikebana
More than simply putting flowers in a
container, ikebana is a disciplined art form
in which nature and humanity are brought
together. ikebana often emphasizes other
areas of the plant, such as its stems and
leaves, and draws emphasis toward shape,
line and form. Though ikebana is a creative
expression, it has certain rules governing its
19
Ikenobo - The history of ikebana dates back
approximately 500 years ago and the
history of Ikenobo - the oldest school of
ikebana. The school dates its beginnings
from a priest of the Temple (the official
name is Shiun-ji or Purple Cloud Temple in
Kyoto, who was so skilled in flower
arrangement that other priests sought him
out for instruction. As he lived by the side of
a lake, for which the Japanese word is
‘Ikeno bô’ , the name Ikenobô became
attached to the priests there who
specialized in these altar arrangements.
Evolution of styles
Patterns and styles evolved so that, by the
late Fifteenth century, arrangements were
common enough that they were appreciated
by ordinary people, not just the Imperial
family and its retainers.
Ikebana in the beginning was very simple,
constructed with only a very few stems of
flowers and evergreen branches. This first
form of ikebana is called Kuge. Styles of
ikebana changed in the late Fifteenth
century and transformed into an art form
with fixed instructions. Books were written
and Sedensho is the oldest one, covering
years 1443 to 1536. Ikebana became a major
part of traditional festivals, and exhibitions
were held occasionally.
The first styles were a tall, upright central
stem that had to be accompanied by two
shorter stems. During the Momoyama
period, 1560–1600, splendid castles were
constructed. Noblemen and royal retainers
did large decorative Rikka floral
arrangements that were the most
appropriate decoration for the castles.
The Rikka (standing flowers) style was
developed as a Buddhist expression of
beauty of nature. It includes seven branches
representing hills, waterfalls, valleys, and
other objects of nature arranged in a
specific way.
When the tea ceremony emerged, another
style was introduced. The style used for tea
ceremony rooms was called Chabana. The
Chabana style is the opposite of Momoyama
style which emphasized on rustic simplicity.
The simplicity of the Chabana helped create
the Nageire or “thrown-in” style.
Nageire is a non-structured design which
led to the development of the Seika or
Shoka style. The style is characterized by a
tight bundle of stems that form a triangular
three-branched asymmetrical arrangement
which was considered classic.
Seika or Sh•ka style consists of only three
main branches, known as ‘ten‘ (heaven), ‘chi’
(earth), and ‘jin‘ (human). It is a simple
(continued on page 22)
20
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Vanbreda and De Besi-Di Giacomo
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Viale Aventino 38 – 00153 Roma
Tel: 06.57289413-501 Fax: 06.5759483
cell: 335.5388297
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Dietologist and Clinical Nutritionist
Italian - English
De Besi-Di Giacomo affiliated
Every Friday
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Munich University
Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon
X-Ray and Ultrasound facilities
English – French – Italian – German
Vanbreda and De Besi-Di Giacomo affiliated
From Monday to Friday
Viale Aventino 38 – 00153 Roma
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Tel: 06.57289413-501 Fax: 06.5759483
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Viale Aventino 38 – 00153 Roma
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21
(continued from page 20)
style that is designed to show the beauty
and uniqueness of the plant itself.
Jiy•ka is a free creative design. It is not
confined to flowers; every material can be
used.
Modern styles
In the Twentieth century, with the advent of
modernism, the three schools of ikebana
partially gave way to what is commonly
known in Japan as Free Style.
Moribana upright style is considered as the
most basic structure in ikebana. Moribana
literally means “piled-up flowers” that are
arranged in a shallow vase or suiban,
compote, or basket. Moribana is secured on
kenzan or needlepoint holders, also known
as metal frogs.
Moribana slanting style is the reversed
arranging style that can be used depending
on the placement of the display or shapes of
the branches. Branches that look beautiful
when slanted are mostly chosen for this
arrangement. This style gives a softer
impression than the upright style.
Nageire upright style is arranged in a
narrow-mouthed, tall container without
using kenzan or needlepoint holders.
Nageire literally means “thrown in”. This is
a simple arrangement that can contain just
one flower and does not use frogs to hold the
flower(s).
Nageire slanted style presents a gentle
touch and flexibility. It is ideal for ikebana
beginners.
Nageire cascading style arrangements have
the main stem hanging lower than the rim of
the vase. A flexible material will create
beautiful lines balancing with flowers
Ikebana Course at FAO – Artist: Ms Bhawna Maru
The FAO Staff Coop now offers Ikebana classes at FAO Headquarters every Tuesday for
beginners and those already initiated - two classes during lunchtim: 12.00 to 13.00 hrs and
13.00 to 14.00 hrs in Room E-021 (near Coop Office). Also Evening classes on Monday,
Wednesday and Friday from 17.15 to 18.15 hrs, Room E-021.
Cost: €20.00 which includes flowers which you take away with you for home or office.
Special classes also organized for seniors, retirees and youths 10-16 years old by request.
Register at the FAO Staff Coop Office from 9.00 to 13.30 hrs daily. Coop Membership is
required to participate in the courses ■
22
Are we sinister, or just left-handed?
by Suzy Saint
When it was first noticed that I was lefthanded, back in the 1950s no effort was
made for me to change, unlike earlier
times when children’s hands were tied
behind their backs. In Victorian times
left-handed children were punished and
made to use their right hand and in
ancient times being left-handed was
seen as the sign of the devil.
Historically,
the
left
side,
and
subsequently left-handedness, was
considered negative in many cultures.
The Latin word sinistra originally meant
“left” but took on meanings of “evil” or
“unlucky” by the Classical Latin era, and
this double meaning survives in
European derivatives of Latin, and in the
English word “sinister”.
A “left-handed compliment” (also known
as a “back-handed compliment”) is
considered one that is unflattering or
dismissive in meaning. The Polish
expression “miećdwie lewe ręce”, Dutch
“twee linkerhanden hebben”, German
“zwei linke Hände haben”, Bulgarian
“dve levi ratse”, French “avoir deux
mains gauches”, Hungarian kétbalkezes
and Czech “Mít obě ruce levé” all mean
“to have two left hands” – in other words,
that one is clumsy or is a very poor
handyman. And in sailing terms, a “lefthanded ship” means the ship is
considered unlucky.
People tend to have most strength and
control in their lead hand - whether left or
right. Because the vast majority of the
world population is right-handed, most
everyday items are mass-produced for
expected use with the right hand. Tools,
game equipment, musical instruments
and other items must be specially
ordered for left-handed use, if they are
available at all. I adapted to “ordinary”
scissors as left-handed ones weren’t
available. My mother tried, with difficulty,
to teach me to sew, to knit and to crochet
but I was always going “the wrong way”!
A friend also noticed recently that I lace
up my shoes the opposite way to righthanded people. I’d never realized before!
Other “handed” items which could prove
to be inconvenient for left-handers
include cameras, train-station turnstiles,
can openers, potato peelers, corkscrews,
rulers, computer mice, watches, cheque
books, spiral notebooks, lever arch files,
fishing reels, boomerangs, measuring
cups and pencil sharpeners. Not to
mention the awkward position of
unlocking my front door with my left
hand, the lock being on the right hand
side. Friends also comment on the fact
that the plates in my plate rack over the
sink are “the wrong way round”! Firearms
are also designed for right-handed
shooters but luckily this doesn’t affect
me!
However, when I drive in England I’m at
an advantage as in countries with righthand drive vehicles, left-handers benefit
from having more of the dashboard
controls being managed by their
dominant hand, as well as the gearstick
when driving a manual transmission
vehicle.
In spite of the above difficulties I’ve
23
mentioned, I’ve got so used to being lefthanded that I don’t think about it
anymore in spite of the comments I’ve
heard all my life such as “Is it difficult for
you being left-handed?” or “You look so
cack-handed”!
provide/sell the items necessary.
So all of you Lefties out there, just
remember:
But recently it all came back to me when
my little grandson, who was showing a
tendency to be left-handed, started to
feed himself, and the baby spoon
available was curved to make it easier
for him to find his mouth, but actually it
was pointing in the opposite direction!
Now he’s nearly three and going to preschool and was trying to cut paper with
his left hand but the scissors wouldn’t
work.
Left-handed items can be purchased on
the Internet but it surprises me that, with
so many left-handed people around
nowadays, schools and shops, etc. don’t
FAO STAFF COOP LIBRARY
As from 2 April the Library has increased its fees as follows:
The fee for borrowing a new book will be 1 euro per week.
Fines for late new books will be 1,20 euro per week
Fines for late old hardbacks will be 1 euro per week.
We will also be charging a small fee of 5 euro for new members to join the
library.
** If you or anyone you know has any newish good condition paperbacks
they would like to donate to the library we would be very grateful.
(English, French, Italian)
24
Bring back any memories?
Someone asked the other day, ‘What was your favourite ‘fast food’ when you were
growing up?’
‘We didn’t have fast food when I was growing up,’ I said, ‘All the food was slow.’
‘C’mon, seriously, where did you eat?’
‘It was a place called ‘home,’’ I explained.
‘Mum cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at
the dining room table, and if I didn’t like what she put on my plate, I was allowed to
sit there until I did like it.’
By this time, the lad was laughing so hard I was afraid he was going to suffer serious
internal damage, so I didn’t tell him the part about how I had to have permission to
leave the table.
But here are some other things I would have told him about my childhood if I’d
figured his system could have handled it:
Some parents NEVER owned their own house, or wore jeans, or set foot on a golf
course, or travelled out of the country or had a credit card.
My parents never drove me to school... I had a bicycle that weighed probably 50
pounds, and only had one speed (slow).
We didn’t have a television in our house until I was 10.
It was, of course, black and white, and the station went off the air at 10 PM, after
playing the national anthem and epilogue; it came back on the air at about 6 a.m.
And there was usually a locally produced news and farm show on, featuring local
people...
Pizzas were not delivered to our home... But milk was.
All newspapers were delivered by boys and all boys delivered newspapers —My
brother delivered a newspaper, seven days a week. He had to get up at 6AM every
morning.
Film stars kissed with their mouths shut. At least, they did in the films. There were
no movie ratings because all movies were responsibly produced for everyone to enjoy
viewing, without profanity or violence or almost anything offensive.
If you grew up in a generation before there was fast food, you may want to share some
of these memories with your children or grandchildren. Just don’t blame me if they
bust a gut laughing.
Growing up isn’t what it used to be, is it?
25
MEMORIES from a friend:
My Dad is cleaning out my grandmother’s house (she died in December) and
he brought me an old Lemonade bottle. In the bottle top was a stopper with a bunch
of holes in it.. I knew immediately what it was, but my daughter had no idea. She
thought they had tried to make it a salt shaker or something. I knew it as the bottle
that sat on the end of the ironing board to ‘sprinkle’ clothes with because we didn’t
have steam irons. Man, I am old.
How many do you remember?
Headlight dip-switches on the floor of the car.
Ignition switches on the dashboard.
Trouser leg clips for bicycles without chain guards.
Soldering irons you heated on a gas burner.
Using hand signals for cars without turn indicators.
Older Than Dirt Quiz:
Count all the ones that you remember, not the ones you were told about. Ratings at
the bottom.
1. Sweet cigarettes
2. Coffee shops with juke boxes
3. Home milk delivery in glass bottles
4. Party lines on the telephone
5. Newsreels before the movie
6. TV test patterns that came on at night after the last show and were there until TV
shows started again in the morning.. (There were only 2 channels [if you were
fortunate])
7. Peashooters
8. 33 rpm records
9. 45 RPM records
10. Hi-fi’s
11. Metal ice trays with levers
12. Blue flashbulb
13. Cork popguns
14. Wash tub wringers
If you remembered 0-3 = You’re still young
If you remembered 3-6 = You are getting older
If you remembered 7-10 = Don’t tell your age
If you remembered 11-14 = You’re positively ancient!
I must be ‘positively ancient’ but those memories are some of the best parts of my life.
Don’t forget to pass this along!!
26
A.D.S.-AMERICAN DENTAL STUDIOS
American Dentist (Dentista Americano)
Laureato in USA. English Spoken. Disponibile tutti i giorni anche Festivi
Abbiamo Canadian Endodontist (who uses the latest computer technology
completing a Root Canal in only one visit) – uno specialista in ortodonzia
(Orthodontist for adults & children) & uno specialista in implantologie.
Viale Europa 331 (100 metri Metro EUR Fermi
(only 12 minutes by Metro from FAO)
Viale Castel Porziano 434/f, Infernetto
By Appointment Only
Tel. 3339061799 or
info@americandentalstudios.com
www.americandentalstudios.com
Van Breda Accepted
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HOTEL PONTE SISTO
Roma - via dei Pettinari, 64
Periodo
Marzo - Ottobre
Novembre - Febbraio*
Costo camera doppia
€ 220,00
€ 160,00
Costo camera DUS
€ 185,00
€ 140,00
*Nel periodo 24 dicembre - 3 gennaio prezzi come nell'alta stagione.
I prezzi indicati sono comprensivi di prima colazione a buffet e tasse, esclusa la tassa di soggiorno.
Phone +39 06.686310 - Fax +39 06.68301712 - info@hotelpontesisto.it
booking@hotelpontesisto.it - www.hotelpontesisto.it
Dr. Corinne Perissé
Medico Psicoterapeuta
Francese - Italiano
Departures for Airports
€ 38,00
Auto per rappresentanza
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Tel: 06 39378725
Cell: 338 3288452
E-mail: fortuna.cs@katamail.com
www.fortunacarservice.it
Via delle Fornaci 133/B, Roma
Aventino Medical Group
Via S.Alberto Magno 5, Roma
Tel. 06 57 80738
06 57 288349
Via A. Baldovinetti 13, Roma
Cell: 349 50 49960
27
Erna Bennett
Erna passed away in Scotland on 3rd January 2012. Erna was a unique Irish woman from
Derry brought up in Belfast. Her life was rich and colourful, varied and so meaningful and
she made an impact whatever she did and on whomever she met, such was the force of her
charismatic character, the strength of her beliefs and her innate sense of justice. She did
not suffer fools lightly and her words contained no euphemisms that disguised the truth. Yet
behind her forceful character was the gentlest of natures and the kindest of hearts as the
people she taught, the people she fought for and cared for and the people she loved can
testify.
Erna was a woman of great courage. During the second World War she served in the Middle
East and Greece in the intelligence service and was an accomplished pilot. She was not
afraid to confront danger. Her experience fighting the fascist enemy strengthened her
passionate belief in an egalitarian society.
Although Erna began her career as a genetic scientist, her work led her to become an
outspoken advocate of the rights of farmers to maintain traditional seed varieties. She was
one of the early pioneers of the genetic conservation movement and warned the world about
the tragedies of plant erosion. Her missions to Afghanistan and Greece in the early days of
the movement in 1966-67 have become legend.
Erna joined FAO in 1967 and was awarded the Meyer memorial medal in 1971. Her work
influenced the 1972 UN Stockholm Conference on the Environment and led to its call for a
global programme on the conservation of plant genetic resources. She resigned from FAO
in 1982 because of her concerns that the work she had helped to initiate, to conserve the
genetic diversity of the world’s agriculture, was being hijacked by private companies.
Erna was indeed a controversial and revolutionary figure in FAO. She had also played a
leading role in joining the general service and professional staff organizations to form a
Joint Action Committee to establish dialogue on an equal footing with Management. It led
to a three-day strike with support coming in from several UN and other international
organizations and resulted in establishing a new and constructive relationship between the
Staff and Administration.
After leaving FAO, Erna continued to be active on public issues, journalism, lecturing,
advising and writing poetry. She changed homes frequently living in Italy, Australia, Greece
and finally in Scotland.
Many people have left moving dedications to Erna, reflecting her incredible and admirable
life. She is sorely missed but, as shown in the following poem, written by Erna, would not
want us to mourn. A book of her poems is shortly to be published.
28
Mourn not
Mourn not that I am dead.
Doubly rejoice instead
That I have lived
who now have ceased to be.
Here I have survived
my last remaining doubt.
Tranquil I am, though mute,
released from all dispute
“about it and about”
or when or how or why.
I miss, it must be said,
a fragrant loaf of bread,
a book of verse,
wine to make a feast,
and you, my love, not least.
But believe me when I say
there is no way
to justify your sorrow.
Do tell me though,
what’s the news today?
And what about tomorrow?
CABINET DENTAIRE / DENTAL CLINIC
Dr Benoît Brunet
Chirurgien-Dentiste - Docteur en Chirurgie-Dentaire
Diplômé de la Faculté de Médecine Toulouse III
Soins Conservateurs et Esthétiques, Traitements Prothétiques
Chirurgie Parodontale et Implantologie (Straumann) - Orthodontie
Viale Aventino, 102 (FAO) - M° Circo Massimo ou Pyramide
Tel : 06 57 25 06 25 Cell : 339 57 97 543
French Dental Clinic Rome (Odontaiatra-Ortodontista) / Email : dr.b.brunet@gmail.com
WebSite : frenchdentalclinicroma.com
CONSULTATION / DEVIS GRATUIT
Member VanBreda
Langues parlées : Anglais, Italien, Français
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Trattamento speciale UN staff
29
UNA SANA INSALATA CON I FRUTTI DORATI
di Enrica Romanazzo
Un’idea sfiziosa per un pasto all’insegna del gusto,
della salute e della... leggerezza!!!
Propongo un mix di pomelo, anacardi, peperoncino fresco e cipollotto, per una stuzzicante
insalata in agrodolce, da gustare a fine pasto. E’ un piatto sano, rinfrescante e gustosissimo,
da presentare al posto di dessert ipercalorici che appesantiscono i pasti. Torte, crostate,
créme caramels… mangiamoli a merenda oppure riserviamoli alla prima colazione….
Alla fine di un lauto pasto, serve qualcosa di gradevole e leggero per chi voglia alzarsi da
tavola senza appesantirsi troppo e con il retrogusto di questo frutto meraviglioso,
lievemente acidulo..
Se il frutto è maturo il gusto è piacevolissimo. La sua polpa, meno acre del pompelmo e
dell’arancia amara, é gustosamente dolce. Ha un sapore complesso e semplice allo stesso
tempo, che si adatta anche al salato perché riesce a esprimere qualità diverse. In questo
magico contrasto é racchiuso il segreto di un frutto speciale.
Provare per credere.
CITRUS MAXIMA
CITRUS MAXIMA
Il Pomelo (Citrus Maxima) appartenente alla famiglia degli “Agrumi, è
uno dei piú grandi e succosi frutti del pianeta. Originario della Cina,
presenta una polpa carnosa dolce e leggermente acidula. A differenza
degli altri agrumi, il pomelo non è sferico, ma si presenta con una forma
di pera. Ogni spicchio del frutto è piuttosto grande, presenta piccoli
semi e una spessa buccia facile da togliere.
E’ un frutto benefico ricchissimo di vitamina C, beta-carotene, vitamine del gruppo B
compressa la B9 “acido folico” Consigliato alle giovani mamme durante la gravidanza
per un buon sviluppo del nascituro. E’ anche molto ricco in potassio, elemento
tonificante e benefico per il cuore. Inoltre i limonoidi contenuti nel pomelo svolgono
un’azione più potente dei preparati chimici nell’arrestare lo sviluppo delle cellule
cancerogene. Contribuisce a regolare la pressione arteriosa e a prevenire
l’arteriosclerosi. E’ ottimo nelle diete per il trattamento e la prevenzione dell’asma. E’
un frutto salutare a basso contenuto calorico che da senso di sazietà e accelera la
sintesi delle proteine e dei grassi, nell’organismo, quindi utilissimo per coloro che
desiderano o devono mantenere una dieta ipocalorica.
Dove trovarlo? Al mercato di Piazza Vittorio, oppure ordinatelo al fruttivendolo sotto
casa.
30
LIGHT DESSERT: INSALATA DI POMELO ED
ANACARDI
Ingredienti: Pomelo, Peperoncino verde fresco, cipollotto, anacardi, olio d’oliva.
Condite la polpa del pomelo con poco olio d’oliva, aggiungete qualche anacardo salato
spezzettato, mezzo cipollotto e poco peperoncino fresco sminuzzati.
ULTRA LIGHT DESSERT: INSALATA DI POMELO E
FINOCCHI
L’insalata di finocchi e pomelo, conditi con sale, olio ed una spolveratine di pepe, è una
variante ipocalorica.
ANTIPASTO LIGHT - INSALATA DI PESCE E POMELO
Oppure provatelo per un antipasto di pesce facile e veloce da realizzare. Servono dei
gamberetti cotti al vapore, cuore di lattuga, pomelo. Condire con poco olio e sale ■
31